Hurricane Helene destroyed historical buildings like Chez What furniture store in Valdosta. Any plans to rebuild involve high material costs.

Seventy-five miles inland from Florida’s Big Bend, Valdosta took the brunt of Helene, but with two previous hurricanes in the past three months, the city is learning how to adapt. Prior to last year, Valdosta had never experienced a hurricane in its 166 years as a city, according to Mayor Scott Matheson.

Hurricane Helene has had significant effects on South Georgia and like many families business owners are struggling to recover the financial loss of being closed for days.

The former president stopped into Lowndes County emergency management center to greet first responders who have been working around the clock since last week's storm.